21st January: National Hugging Day

National Hug Day or National Hugging Day occurs on January 21st and is officially recognized by the United States Copyright Office. The purpose of the day is to help everyone show more emotion in public. The only way to celebrate the day is by offering a hug to anyone and everyone you want. While Hug Day and the Free Hugs Campaign share many similarities, there is not an association between the two. Hugging, one of the simplest ways to show affection is something people do with their loved ones all the time. However, it is not something that’s done enough these days! National Hugging Day aims to encourage people to hug more, whether they know the person or not. Hugging Day also helps people understand their emotions, as hugging makes feeling a more accepted practice and allows people to connect with one another on a more intimate level. Whether you hug a family member or a stranger, the mental and physical health benefits are the same. From the day we are born, hugs or touch improve our sleep. Hugging, like cuddling, releases oxytocin. On its own, this hormone provides tremendous health benefits. Not only does it gives us feel-good hormones, but it reduces pain. Receiving a hug helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure and lowers the risk of heart disease. It also eases anxiety.